Paul Simon - 'The Essential Paul Simon' (Warners) Released 02/06/08

There is no denying Paul Simon is an astounding musical mind. He’s twice been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (with Garfunkal and as a solo artist), he’s been the recipient of 12 Grammy Awards and has written some of the greatest and most respected songs in the world such as ‘Bridge over Troubled Water’ and ‘Mrs. Robinson’.

Two discs, 36 songs, covering almost a four decade long career, this is the perfect celebration of a distinguished career. Commencing with the very first song off his 1972 self-titled debut, ‘Mother and Child Reunion’ the album is twice as long as his 1977 ‘Greatest Hits’ compilation and contains completely solo material as appose to the 2002 Paul Simon ‘Anthology’.

Highlight after highlight the songs remind the forgetful just how intelligent and proficient Paul Simon was and still is. Material from his recent acclaimed album ‘Surprise’ is also on board and stands strong against the most admired songs of his career.

The magical ‘American Tune’ the cool ‘Peace Like A River’ and calming ‘Slip Sliding Away’ are all bright moments of the first disc. While the second disc opens with charismatic ‘Graceland’, the best song is still to come - one of the greatest party songs ever, ‘You Can Call Me Al’. The slapping bass solo alone is enough to make you start jumping and gyrating around like an overenthusiastic Uncle at a wedding crossed with Tom Cruise on Oprah Winfrey.

The defiant Kodachrome with the forceful lyrics: “When I think back on all the crap I learned in high school/It’s a wonder I can think at all,” shows this man could write powerful yet emotive lyrics evoking an assortment of emotions that would rival a narcotics anonymous meeting.

A pioneer of world music, songs such as ‘Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoe’ and ‘The Obvious Child’ exploit the diversity of his music. While pure pop delights such as the aptly named ‘Quality’ dance delicately amongst the heavy world sound of the second disc.

The trepidation that this would be another monotonous collection of singles and obvious choices is nullified by a clever track list and enough hits to satisfy the most apprehensive of listeners. Long may Paul Simon continue!